A driver who struck and killed a construction worker and injured two others at a work zone on a Nesconset road yesterday has been charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and may have ingested marijuana minutes before the crash, Suffolk police said. Speaking at a news conference at police headquarters in Yaphank, Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said video surveillance showed the driver, Thomas Lobianco, 26, of Lake Ronkonkoma, sitting in his 1999 Toyota Camry for about 20 minutes early Monday morning after he finished an overnight shift at a 7-Eleven convenience store about a mile away, during which time he may have ingested the drug. Observations made at the crash scene by a police drug recognition expert indicated he was impaired, Catalina said. As reported in NEWSDAY, Catalina said Lobianco drove east in a westbound lane of Townline Road toward the work zone near the Terry Road intersection and may have been speeding. According to a police release, at around 6:40 a.m. yesterday Lobianco drove through a red light and onto a sidewalk, where he hit the three construction workers. He then hit an electronic crossing sign, a utility pole and a fence, according to the release. Lobianco is being held at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.The three men were contractors working for Suffolk County on a paving project. They were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital. Joel Sicon-Porix, 38, of Mastic, was pronounced dead and Kevin Chavez-Sarmiento, 30, of Bay Shore, and Jose Gonzalez-Colindres, 33, of Brentwood, were admitted for treatment of injuries, according to police.New York State transportation officials have long recognized work zone crashes, often exacerbated by speeding, as an occupational hazard for construction workers. In 2025, there were 33 work zone intrusions on Long Island state roads that resulted in injuries to five DOT workers, Newsday has reported, and 600 work zone crashes statewide roads maintained by the state DOT and Thruway Authority, according to a state report. A state program, Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement, generated 600,000 notices of violation in just three years. During the program’s first 12 months, from May 2023 to May 2024, 40% — over 54,000 of citations — came from Nassau and Suffolk counties, Newsday has reported.Since 1939, at least 59 transportation workers have died on the job statewide, according to the DOT.***The former Grace Episcopal Church in Riverhead, once slated for demolition by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, was rededicated by the diocese Sunday as the home of Iglesia San Francisco. “The celebration follows an extensive renovation project that has transformed the church campus into a safe, beautiful, and welcoming home for worship, fellowship, and community ministry,” the diocese said in an announcement of the rededication ceremony and celebration.Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that congregants and community members packed the renovated church sanctuary Sunday for the 5 p.m. service and the time of fellowship that followed.Diocesan Bishop Lawrence Provenzano led a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the formal opening of the renovated church and welcome the community into the sanctuary.At the bishop’s side was Father Luis Fernando López, whom the bishop has named the priest-in-charge at Iglesia San Francisco. Since March 2025, Lopez has served the Latino East End Mission of Long Island.The church, built in 1871, was closed in February 2023 after safety concerns made it unsuitable for continued use. The diocese pursued plans to demolish the structure before it decided to renovate it instead. Throughout the renovation, the congregation faithfully continued worshipping, first in space provided by the Riverhead Central School District and later in the parish rectory, the diocese said. Officially admitted as a diocesan mission in 2023, Iglesia San Francisco has long ministered to predominantly Spanish-speaking families and farmworkers on Long Island’s East End. Throughout the renovation, the congregation continued its worship and outreach, while Rural and Migrant Ministry maintained its presence on the campus, continuing its longstanding partnership with the Diocese of Long Island in serving farmworkers and rural communities. “This is a day of thanksgiving for our congregation,” Lopez said. “Our people never lost faith. We continued to worship, to pray, and to serve our neighbors wherever we gathered. Returning to this church gives us a renewed home for our ministry and a place where we can continue welcoming all who seek God’s love.” Lopez, who is from Colombia, now lives in the church rectory with his family. Provenzano, who is retiring as diocesan bishop next month, said he is grateful he had the opportunity to rededicate the Riverhead church before he retires. ***The Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton presents ...
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